A woman from Holland Park is starting off on a journey which could end up with her being crowned Miss World.

Lexie Carducci is in the first round of Miss England and desperate to make it through to the next round.

To do that the 24-year-old must rely on a combination of a public vote and judges to finish in the top three, which would see her qualify for Miss London.

Lexie, who is a radio DJ, freelance presenter and property finder had been toying with the idea of taking part for a while and decided to take the plunge before it was too late.

She said: “Miss England has a cut off of 25 and I will be 25 this year. I’ve been looking at doing it for three years but I backed out because I was scared.

“So it as now or never for me. It’s all about finding myself as a person.

“The ethos is beauty with a purpose. It’s got so many rounds including a charity round.”

Lexie has also started working closely with a children’s charity Ray of Sunshine, which grants wishes for seriously ill kids aged three to 18­ in the UK, and hopes a run in the beauty pageant will help its promotion.

She continued: “I would love to win. It would mean so much for myself and the charity I am working with. It would be amazing.”

To vote for Lexie text MISS SEMI01 to 63333. Texts costs 50p. Voting will finish at 8pm on February 22.